NEWPORT County AFC aim to put the war of words with Luton Town behind them and let their football do the talking against Crewe Alexandra today.

Like his manager Warren Feeney, midfielder Joss Labadie admits that the players were unimpressed by their opponents’ comments in the wake of Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at Kenilworth Road.

Luton midfielder Cameron McGeehan labelled County ‘cheats’ and Hatters boss Nathan Jones referred to the Exiles’ ‘antics’ after the match that was decided by a dubious stoppage time penalty.

But Labadie is rising above the taunts and concentrating on beating Crewe at Rodney Parade this afternoon.

“It was a disappointing night but we’ve got to move on from that. We can’t dwell on it,” said the 25-year-old.

“I’ve seen some of the comments, which are quite funny, but I won’t say too much on them – we’ve just got to let our football do the talking and ignore what people say.

“We’ll just focus on ourselves. We won’t come out and say too much in the media because that’s not the right thing to do.

“If he wants to come out and say things like that he can do but we won’t be stooping to that level.

“But we must have ruffled their feathers and we’ll look forward to the game against them at our place.”

He added: “It’s been mentioned – what’s been said – and the boys can’t wait to get out there and rectify the bad result.

“I think it will be a positive – we should put it on the dressing room wall because I think it could work in our favour.”

Having produced two encouraging displays on the road, Labadie says County want a win at home after two defeats in front of their own fans so far this season.

“It will be nice to get three points at home early on in the season,” he said. “That’s important.

“Crewe have had a decent start but we’re really confident in ourselves and the way we play and the players we’ve got so we’re looking forward to it.

“It was unfortunate the way it panned out the other night but we have to go again and try to rectify it.

“It was a gutting feeling and we will be using that.

“We’ve played two strong favourites for the league now and we feel like we’ve matched, if not bettered, both of them.

“We’re really confident in ourselves and we think we’ll be good this year.”

After conceding winning goals at the death against Luton, MK Dons and Mansfield Town, Labadie is determined to avoid a repeat today.

“It’s something we work on in training,” he said.

“Maybe we need to work on our concentration but Tuesday night was unfortunate.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a common thing but we’re just going to work hard to make sure it’s not.”